Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing marks a new strategic partnership with China, aiming to reset diplomatic ties and reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S. A preliminary trade deal, including an agreement to import electric vehicles from China, was announced. This visit, following years of strained relations due to diplomatic and trade disputes, underscores Canada’s need to expand exports, particularly in areas like agriculture, energy, and finance. While the U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner, Ottawa seeks to diversify its market, with agreements on clean energy, forestry, culture, and tourism.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, after claiming to be a soybean farmer, faced scrutiny over his late October statement. It was revealed that Bessent owned farmland in North Dakota through a limited liability partnership, which he was required to divest. Despite initially struggling to sell the land, he eventually divested it for $12.4 million to a company managed by his longtime friend. The sale occurred on December 15, while Bessent was actively involved in negotiating a trade deal with China that included a commitment to buy American soybeans.
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During his visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings, President Trump was presented with a golden crown, a gesture aimed at finalizing a $350 billion trade deal. This seems to have worked as Washington and Seoul reached a broad trade agreement. The focus of the trip shifted to Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The South Korean leg of Trump’s Asia tour follows his visit to Japan where he signed a rare-earths deal and announced several important energy and technology projects in the US to be funded by Japan.
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President Trump announced a 90-day pause on increasing tariffs on Mexican goods, avoiding the threatened escalation to 30%. This extension allows time for a trade deal to be negotiated. During this period, Mexico will maintain existing tariffs, including 25% on fentanyl and auto imports and 50% on metal commodities. Additionally, Mexico has agreed to eliminate several non-tariff trade barriers. The extension highlights the significance of Mexico as a trading partner and the relationship between Trump and President Sheinbaum.
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As the 90-day pause on President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs nears its end, the administration faces the challenge of delivering on promised trade deals. Despite initially aiming for “90 deals in 90 days,” the administration has only secured one confirmed deal with the United Kingdom, along with preliminary agreements with China and a potential deal with India. Negotiations with Japan are faltering, with the possibility of increased tariffs looming if an agreement isn’t reached. Experts suggest that the lack of progress stems from uncertainty about the administration’s objectives and the complexity of trade negotiations. Consequently, the deadline may be extended, with the expectation that most critical trade deals will be finalized by Labor Day.
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Trump suggests there won’t be a trade deal with Japan, and it’s hard not to notice the pattern emerging. First, there was a “no deal with Canada,” and now the same seems to be the fate for Japan. It’s a bit bewildering, really. You start to wonder who’s next on the list of countries apparently not worthy of a trade agreement. It’s almost becoming predictable, this string of no-deals.
The whole situation begs the question: what was it about Japan? Did they do something wrong? Were they “nasty,” as the saying goes? The constant shifts in his position make it tough to keep up.… Continue reading
During a meeting between US President Trump and South African President Ramaphosa, Trump showed Ramaphosa videos and articles alleging a genocide of white South Africans, claims Ramaphosa refuted, citing high murder rates affecting Black South Africans disproportionately. Despite this, Ramaphosa sought to secure trade deals with the US, including favorable tariffs for Tesla and Starlink, while Trump pressed for exemptions from South Africa’s racial equity laws. The meeting’s outcome remains uncertain, complicated by Trump’s previous actions—including canceling aid and expelling South Africa’s ambassador—stemming from his disputes over land reform and South Africa’s legal action against Israel. The discussions also involved securing duty-free access to the US market for South African farmers under AGOA.
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In a recent TIME interview, President Trump claimed to have brokered 200 trade deals, despite none being publicly announced. He attributed the lack of announcements to the ongoing nature of negotiations, while simultaneously misrepresenting the U.S. trade deficit. Furthermore, the interview revealed conflicting statements regarding the Supreme Court’s order to return a wrongfully deported man, with Trump claiming his lawyers interpreted the order differently and denying direct involvement. The president also reiterated unsubstantiated claims about inflation and illegal immigration. These statements, made during the first 100 days of his second term, highlight continued policy inconsistencies and factual inaccuracies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood